I think the same way you do, although I am concerned the optics suggest our ability to compete from NIL standpoint is way behind the early indications of what we were told. Without full knowledge of their strategy i will trust, for now, there is a plan to maximize usage. I just feel more confident this staff knows how to coach kids up and actually coach within the game.
Mine as well. I understand that Campbell would be more comfortable in a transition year with Becht, but given the player turnover I think he may have been better served with a QB who has at least 2 and if he wants 3 years of eligibility left, especially since Grunk had better ratings last year than Becht (I realize Becht was hurt; that it’s a small sample size; but Grunk played very well playing against 3 of the top 4 defenses in college football in 3 of his 6 starts). We shall see. By the way, despite my prediction, as a 65 year Penn State fan I hope Becht lights it up this year.
Precisely. Grunk is entering his 3rd year and could conceivably declare for the draft after this year but if he did, he would have been outstanding this year. On the other hand, Becht is entering his 5th year and is out of eligibility regardless of how he plays this year.
If that’s true why did Grunk wait so long to portal to VaTech? Far more likely that Grunk decided to leave as soon as it became clear Campbell was bringing in Becht which meant he had two chances to start at Penn Dtate: fat and none irrespective of how Grunk looked in practice.
You feel this coaching staff is more equipped to coach kids up and actually coach within the game based on what? All those championships and playoff appearances Campbell had while coaching a decade at ISU? Seriously how many Iowa State games have you watched?
The only argument I can see for Becht over Grunk is if he felt he needed Becht on board in order to get other Iowa State players to follow.
How many BGJ did you watch? The coaching in the Oregon game and the UCLA game assure my view that the 3 effing stooges would be a step up from staff last year. I was at the Oregon game... BGJ looked lost.
A good deal of our NIL has already been spent for this cycle. I believe what is being held back will be spent on the transfer portal to fill important holes. It seems they have a ceiling on what they will spend on HS kids for now that may or not pan out. My optics are that seems to be a strategy for this staff including the AD at this time, as I said for now. The other thing is tons of doner money is being spent on the stadium renovations. When MC came here quite late because of the way things played out there were many issues facing him and the AD which I believe are getting adequately dealt with.
Did he have a shiitt ton of top 15 class talent? It's clear you have a man crush on BGJ. Admitting is the first step to recovery
I’m not sure that we backed off, but we’re also not making a competitive offer if he’s not a good fit. According to that Nittany Central article that someone posted a couple days ago, I think they had him at 25% confidence to PSU with Michigan being the likely landing spot. Would have been great to get him but it doesn’t sound like it was a surprise.
I agree with you. Don't think I'd call it "another miss."
That’s fair. Although, knowing how to coach up kids and coach within a game is different than having the talent to beat the teams we have been longing to beat. As I said before, I think PSU took a big step forward in coaching and a step back in talent acquisition. So far, I haven’t seen anything to change my mind.
There is not enough of a sample size on talent acquisition plus Campbell got a late start to the '27 class. On the coaching, same thing, Campbell needs to prove it on the field before we declare him the better coach. Although, God help us if 3 years we are saying BGJ was the better game coach and developer of talent.
A good deal of our NIL has already been spent for this cycle. I believe what is being held back will be spent on the transfer portal to fill important holes. It seems they have a ceiling on what they will spend on HS kids for now that may or not pan out. My optics are that seems to be a strategy for this staff including the AD at this time, as I said for now. The other thing is tons of doner money is being spent on the stadium renovations. When MC came here quite late because of the way things played out there were many issues facing him and the AD which I believe are getting adequately dealt with.
Coaching players up getting them into the right places seems to be what MC does best. I love his priorities and the process. I think we have to be careful about expecting or wanting too much too soon in this cycle. They decided to do a rebuild from the ground up. The philosophy has completely changed in many ways I like it but it will have to be a process.
I used to tell the people who worked for my if you have a problem turn it into a process and it won't be a problem anymore. Processes on the level of what we're watching will take some time. My opinion is year 2 will look a lot better and the 3rd year even better. Joe took over a well-established and proven program he came from within a smooth transition should have taken place, but it took a couple years to right the ship. The job MC has facing him is a steep uphill climb, but I expect 3 years from now our concerns will be a distant memory.
The things we read on this board are not representative of the general fan base not even close. While some of the people I talk to have similar concerns, they seem to be quite positive the future will be bright. However, if not this board will implode with the usual negative nanny's setting everything on fire.
2028 class will be a better test on talent acquisition and thankfully PA is again unusually loaded. I do believe 2026 season is fair to immediately judge Campbell’s coaching abilities .
Stop with the excuse that he got here late for the 2027 class. Sumrall and Chesney were hired around the same time. They seem to be doing fine.
So hypothetically if we sucked up an **asterisk season last year (we were a theoretical top ten team that was snake bit) that was a huge fluke and gave Franklin room to keep the recruiting class (and Grunk)and allow him audible to the new NIL expectations which I have a feeling he of all people would. Honestly. I’m asking you as a grown man who adores Penn State and Penn State Football. This very moment would you be feeling more or less confident going into this season? All of the people on the board keep current guarantees of 10 win seasons. Holy **** that’s a lot of pressure all of a sudden. Not much room for error when 10 wins this season seems to be the assumed outcome. Ugh. If last year went that far belly up…imagine what could happen this year. Who’s the back up QB again? Oh it doesn’t matter, Becht’s 100% now.
Are we playing moneyball with the 2028 class also? Or are they using the “elite financial resources” that Kraft proclaimed?
I thought CMC didn't need top talent. He coaches em up. Polishes mud. Makes chicken salad with chicken excrement. It got him to 50-40 in the prestigious Big Twelve.
Campbell made a difficult call. Coaches have to make them in the moment. We will get to see how things play out and choose the right path. LOL. I think he considered many things and perhaps the schedule. His two dozen imports from ISU and Becht make it one less hurdle and a path to 10 or more wins.
It could be said that Michigan, Georgia and Notre Dame have been taking our lunch money. But according to the loyal fans here, we weren't hungry anyway.
What if the big step forward in coaching is only an illusion created by the fact that CMC hasn't coached here yet? Then the net change is a step back in talent acquisition. The only place touting Campbell as a significantly better coach than Franklin is here.
He is already on board and is gaining some weight though I don't see him gaining much beyond 240 lbs. So, he probably plays on the same side as Kemanjou.
There will be a great deal of crow to eat if PSU doesn't win 10 with this schedule. Also, if the massive resources of PSU are not evident in the portal this off season. Because if not, 2027 and 2028 won't be a walk in the park. Or a great time to spend on a luxury box.
Thing is, it’s clear that this staff isn’t going to overpay, so unless any of those guys are major PSU fans and are okay with fair value, it will probably look the same as this year. Highly rated recruits want far more than they’re worth (the stars get to their head) and someone out there will probably pay up, even if it’s to their detriment (losing out on depth at several other positions).
Ohio State was 12-2 last year and Alabama was 11-4. Texas A&M was 11-2. Texas Tech was 12-2. All finished in the top 10 in the country. That doesn’t look like trailing off to me. If PSU finishes anywhere close to that this year, we would all be pretty happy, right?